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Wednesday, May 11, 2011

SAY HELLO IN THERE

In gathering signatures for the SB5 Petition, I have oftentimes been in the homes of older people, who want MOSTLY to talk. Tonight I was in the home of an 86-year-old widow who called me because she had seen my name in the newspaper. I arrived at 5:30 PM and did not leave until 7:00 PM. She lost her husband of 62 years and her only living relative is a sister who lives in Hillsboro. We talked of many things and she was such an enjoyable person that I hated to leave. As I tried to leave, she kept talking, showing me pictures and delaying my exit.

Driving home I thought of the great John Prine song, "Say Hello In There". The song is about an older couple whose children live away and all the friends and co-workers have either died or moved and the couple doesn't talk much anymore. The refrain is:

"Old people just grow lonesome,Hoping for someone to say "Hello in there."

The last lines of the song are especially touching:

So, if you're out walking down the street sometimeAnd you spot some hollow, ancient eyes,Please don't pass them by and stare,As if you didn't care,Say "hello in there; Hello!"

If we live long enough, we are all going to be there where we need someone to say "Hello in there!"

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About Me

I grew up in Fayette County with seven brothers. I have no doubt that we all came from the same sperm/egg donors, but we are entirely different. So much for heredity/nurture debates! I am a passionate advocate for things in which I believe.